FGG, Mimi, and Gang:

FGG - Am so sorry I haven't been around. I have only been able to login about twice a week instead of my usual 'daily' login. I have caught up on your recent activity - sounds like your LR is really nice looking now. I also have my fingers crossed that you find ideal best friend/sidekick dog.

I've been caught up in some problems in my life - continuing marriage issues - youngest daughter getting a very rough bout of the flu. Along with this - my eldest daughter has been through a series of life disappointments lately and is reeling from them. My youngest daughter, has BP2 and the meds she takes caused her to gain over 45 lbs in 6 months. Well, you know how cruel kids can be - in just one day she was called fat in 3 different classes and after school some boys threw rocks at her.

I'm just kind of stunned at the meanness and hate in the world sometimes. It is so hard to try to patch up my daughter's broken hearts. Having an unsupportive husband who is not capable of being there for me makes it a real lonely task sometimes.

I'm just very very sad...and dreading the day my eldest leaves for college in the next few months. My eldest also had to deal with the other blow lately of that pregnant woman here in Texas with the 7 year old son that were killed. She 'knew' by acquaintance both of them because her best friend in the world was their next door neighbor (that's how we 1st found out about it..we were watching TV and we were like 'hey, they are showing xxxx's house on TV..why are they doing that?) so her and her friend often sat outside in the driveway talking to people, plus we've shopped at their bagel store. It's very sad...very tragic.

Eldest just called from state competition to announce that she did not medal in any event. She's been preparing for this competition for almost a year. She was two questions away from medaling in one event. Her coach tried to contest the 2 questions she missed, but he was overturned. It is so hard with kids, particularly overachievers...who continually work so hard, yet "lose out" in the end. Personally, she is a winner to me, but how Mommy feels does not make things better right now..sigh. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

I'm a little mad at God right now. I know life isn't easy and Christians are persecuted often..but hey..could he just help things lighten up for the sake of my kids? I really really have an issue with unanswered prayers. Yes, I know sometimes unanswered prayers are a good thing, but not when it is prayers that kids stop teasing your child..and for God to please send her ONE good friend who will be there for her.

Well, enough...I am rambling. My intention was to let you know I had not forgotten you or Mimi. I miss both of you guys. How did you ever learn to let go of your kids and their pains? Does it ever get easier? I feel like I'm losing the only good thing I have left in my life.

FYR

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by MelodyLane:
<strong> [QUOTE]Originally posted by StillHereMakingIt:
[qb] <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Cutest dogs you ever saw! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />

Hey guys!

I'm back in town and have some reading to do I see!!

Bill O'Reilly?

Let's not have to talk about politics, OK? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

FYR:

Please stay tuned. I've been worried about you. I've had the feeling that all was not right in your life. I don't have much time right now but will be getting back to you.

<small>[ February 27, 2005, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: mimi1254 ]</small>

Wow. Much input from each of you, I appreciate that.

FYR – I will write more to you later. I, too, was wondering what was going on with you. I know things are hard on you, I wish I had comforting answers to give you.

Okay, on the dog issue. First. Let me say that I’ve been really sick this weekend and still don’t feel too good. I went home Friday and stayed until Sunday lunch when I met the gang at Taco Bell. I only went then because I didn’t want to miss my appointment in ATL (tdr – Conyers, actually).

Well, suffice it to say that he and I are now best friends. Seems to be a very unusual Schnauzer in that he is very quiet. However, he loves to play fetch and tug-of-war. He gets really vocal when playing tug, growling and all. He can sit, can stand and beg while turning circles. I don’t know what else, but he seems to be very smart. The kids love him and think he’s great. They came over last night after church and played with him a long time. So far, 100% housebroken. He really was dirty, so I’ve bathed him and cleaned him up. He likes baths !!

I’ll take a better picture of him and get Faith to post it in the next few days. I want you to be able to see him not looking so sad.

All right, here is the list of names as submitted so far. Okay, a great list indeed. There are a couple I REALLY like.

Jack - (#1S)
Bauer – (#1S)
Toby – (#2S)
Astroid or Dr. Astro - (AD)
2Long - (AD)
Giblet Gravy - (Gimble)
Phillip – (cc46)
Gimli (if he's cranky) – (Jenny8675309)
Gandalf (if he's wise and stern) – (Jenny8675309)
Charlie Daniels – (Jenny8675309)
GeorGie – (SHMI)
Georgie – (Mimi)
Huey Lewis – (d_rose)
ZZ Top – (d_rose)
Bill O”Reilly - (MelodyLane)
Zeus – (still seeking)
Alamo – (still seeking)
Reggie – (still seeking)
Max – (still seeking)
Buddy– (still seeking)
Ace – (still seeking)
Mac– (still seeking)
Killer – (realtor*)
Wayward – (realtor*)
Faithful – (InLikeFlynn)

I’ve not named him pending checking the input from each of you today. However, here is MY idea.
#1S likes Jack Bauer on the TV show “24”. I had lunch Sunday with the whole gang, and when #1S said “Bauer”, #2DIL said “you mean like “Eddie Bauer”?” So he explained to her that he meant Jack Bauer. However, I am a big fan of Eddie Bauer clothes, most of my shirts and pants are Eddie Bauer. I like the really thick 100% cotton clothes they have.

So...my idea is “Jack Eddie Bauer”. Of course, I would call him by his initials: JEB.

What do you think?

Georgia

Hi GG, congratulations on your new family member! I did so love Bill the Dog, but think you made a great choice with JEB!

"Go with your gut" regarding the name. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Jeb sounds great to me. I'm just so happy for you that the name doesn't matter!!!

I've got to tell you that Gandalf is really, really tempting. He looks the part.

Okay, he is now, officially...

Jack Eddie Bauer (aka "Jeb").

On to more important stuff. I've been very careful to not include S's in any WW type conversation this week. But #2S told me that he talked with FIL Wednesday night (they've apparently been visiting WW all week).

#2S tells me that I'm still in good with my IL's in that FIL says he doesn't know why I didn't leave WW sooner. I was quite surprised at that revelation, I thought for sure I would be the bad guy by now in their eyes, but apparently not.

#2S did tell me that he spent aobut an hour alone with his Mom the same night. Still spewing the same sort of stuff, but he thinks she's having a harder time convincing herself she's right. We didn't have much conversation there, I again don't want them to feel like they are in the middle of it all.

I'm going to run home at lunch today to check on Jeb. However, I bet I find him sound asleep somewhere. He's going to be a great dog. Thanks to all who submitted entries.

Mimi - I'm concerned about FYR.

Georgia

about FYR...

Should we talk to her on your thread? I think she is hesitant about coming out on the forum for some reason.

I'm wanting to send some 2X4s to you about learning about what WW is doing but I understand your curiosity....._

re: FYR...She is more than welcome to share my thread if that is what makes her the most comfortable.

Thanks for not hitting me too hard.

Georgia and Jeb.

Edit to add - As I suspected, Jeb was sound asleep on the couch with his head on a pillow. After I walked him, we played some ball and "wrestled" a little. Then, he was ready for sleep again.

<small>[ February 28, 2005, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Formerly G.G. ]</small>

Good Morning all -

I'm continuing to feel really lousy with this stinkin' cold. I've not been able to finsih painting the LR because of this. However, Jeb laid in my lap (and snored) last night while I watched Jack Bauer on "24" again save the free world from those pesky terrorists. Mimi - I also watched "American Idol"...sorry, I don't care much for that.

FYR - I hope you are still here. Feel free to post on this thread if you wish. You ask me (and others):

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> How did you ever learn to let go of your kids and their pains? Does it ever get easier? I feel like I'm losing the only good thing I have left in my life.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">My boys went through hard times in school too. They weren't part of the "in" group, so to speak, and they endured the pain heaped on classmates. So I know the cruelty you are speaking of (although maybe to a lesser degree). As to "why" kids go through such things, none of us know the answer to that. However, let me put forth a suggestion. If my boys had never experienced adversity in their lives during their adolescent years, I would question their readiness to deal with the really hard issues that life is now dealing to them. Not just with me and WW, but in other areas as married men. There are other family issues they deal with on the "other" side of the family, plus the stresses of married life (like paying bills and working while college students). Anyway, the point being that they have been somewhat "tempered" for life, IMO, by those somewhat turbulent adolescent years.

I know this doesn't make it any easier on you, and again I don't know "why" things happen as they do, just some of my musings on the subject. I continue to want to give your H a good swift "kick" (with brotherly love, of course) and tell him to get over the past and love his family in the present, they need him.

Let me close to you by saying that you certainly aren't losing your daughter anymore than I've lost my sons. She is still going to very much need you, I've just found that the relationship shifts more from the "parent" role to the "best friend" role. When we first conversed, she was in a college search mode. Did she choose yet?

Georgia

Oh, Well! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

We certainly do not have the same tastes in TV! Not interested at all in terrorists. Loved the Idol last night. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

However, I'm glad that you have the new diversions-most importantly, JEB, and also TV!!

Okay, I am declaring myself officially sick and I'm going home. A little warm snuggling with Jeb and TV hopefully will make me feel good enough for pottery tonight.

I've need to get well because I've got to go to TX on Friday (spending the night in Atlanta Thursday).

Georgia

Good Morning all -

I am back from the dead...decided I needed to take an extra day off to recover from whatever this is that has so sapped me. Much better today.

In real news...

I had a follow-up with my attorney yesterday afternoon to ask some financial questions and follow-up. I was surprised at what I heard. He told me that the day before he was to go to the courthouse to file my divorce, WW's attorney called and told him that she would be filing on behalf of WW. Therefore, my attorney has held off filing pending receiving papers from her, which he hasn't received yet. I wasn't aware that she had decided to file for the divorce, and I'm not really quite sure what to make of it at this point.

Also, my attorney told me that of all the attorney's in our city, the one WW is using is the rudest and most obnoxious. He says she is the only attorney he has ever hung up on, and he knows that her reputation for being as callous as possible is well known throughout the city. He said she will do everything possible to make me look like a controlling, domineering husband while my wife just has an innocent friendship that I can't tolerate because I'm so controlling. So....I may be in for more fun ahead of me.

And....Jeb is sick and I've got to try to get him to a vet today.

Georgia

What´s wrong with JEB?

Hope you are both getting better. Missed you,both

Since you asked....

Jeb had severe diarrhea all day yesterday, as well as threw-up about 4X. He got me up 2X in the middle of the night to take him out (very well house-broken), and this morning there was blood in his stool.

I've not been able to get through to the vet's office yet, any guesses on diagnosis?

Georgia

Best not to guess and get him to a vet. Could be an infection, or could be something else dogs are prone to having, depending sometimes on their breed.
Let us know what the vet says. Poor Jeb, what a pity.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">my attorney told me that of all the attorney's in our city, the one WW is using is the rudest and most obnoxious </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Looks like "two peas in a pod" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Wow, Mimi...I didn't even have that thought!!

What I did think is that now she's hooked up with someone who will likely feed her "entitlement" mentality and be a real anchor to any kind of epiphany on her part. That is very discouraging.

My attorney said that her (the lawyers) antics will have no effect on the outcome of any proceedings, the judges (there are 3 we may come before) all know her and how she acts. He said the sad part is that usually the attack on the spouse (me) is usually very vicious and causes deeper long-term wounds than already existed before she got involved.

Georgia

GG,

I'm real sorry about the attorney development.

Is there any chance you could talk her into a joint filing?

My W wants the joint filing (as do I). Lawyer told me the whole thing could be done for $500 and change. It's faster, saves tremendous stress on the entire family, and cost less too.

Since your kids are grown, the only issues are property division and possibility of "spousal support". Would she at least sit down with you (or without you) and make a list of what she thinks the settlement should be? Then you could find what parts of that you could agree to and go from there. If you can agree on everything, it would be so much easir. I'm afraid that her lawyer has captured her now - and will not let her go without first extracting thousands - and causing great pain for all.

I think OM #1 might end up being a good witness for you. I think you should talk to him.

If D is for sure, is there any point in Plan B continuing?

Well, best wishes to you and JEB. I hope his illness is not serious (nor expensive).

-AD